Computer Help Tips

The following tips should help you with common problems you can encounter at computer work stations. If you need further assistance, ask a library staff member to help you.

SAVING WORKAs soon as you open a document (blank or otherwise) SAVE IT.

When you save a document, make sure you select the location to which it is being saved (A, C, D, or E drives).

REBOOTING (WIPEOUT ALERT!) Remember that the computers will not save documents to the “C” drive overnight (or anytime the computers are rebooted). Anything left on the computer is wiped out with automatic nightly rebooting.

These tips should help you with common problems you can encounter at computer work stations. If you need further assistance, ask a library staff member to help you.

You need to log onto library computers with your UNH email account name and password.

If you have trouble with this, ask a library staff member to help you.

PRINTING YOUR WORK

You need to swipe your UNH ID card to release printouts at the computer dedicated to the print management system.

A white board next to the printer station explains the steps you have to take.

SAVING WORK

As soon as you open a document SAVE IT.

Make sure you select the location to which it is being saved (C, D, E, F drives, etc.).

REBOOTING (WIPEOUT ALERT!)

The computers will not save documents to the C drive overnight (or anytime the computers are rebooted).

Anything left on the computer is wiped out with automatic nightly rebooting.
RETRIEVING WORK

If the computer freezes or crashes, you can usually retrieve the document if it has been saved in the Document Recovery task pane. Go to Help on the top toolbar and type in "document recovery" for more information.

FREEZING

If your computer freezes, try Control+Alt+Delete and select the Task Manager. Only do this if you have saved your work FIRST. Close programs by selecting End Task and then End Now. Close programs one at a time (and other nonessential things like Internet browsers).

If a peripheral such as the computer mouse or keyboard doesn't respond (i.e., the cursor doesn't move), try unplugging the item from the computer and re-connecting it. If this doesn't work, reboot the computer once all work has been saved.

If the computer appears dead and isn't responding:

Make sure the monitor is on.

Make sure that the monitor is still connected to the computer and that the monitor and CPU are both plugged into their proper power outlets or strips.

Some work stations have power switches on and below the desk; make sure all plugs are plugged in and that the desktop switch has the small circle (›) turned up -- not pressed down.

Check to see if any power strip underneath the computer is still turned on; it might have been turned off accidentally.

CRASHING

If your computer crashes, go back into the application you were working on (Word, Excel, etc.). Usually, the document can be pulled up in the Document Recovery task pane and reflects the last changes you made. Again, this is unlikely if you haven’t saved your work at all. If your document doesn’t come up, go to Microsoft Help on the top toolbar and search for application recovery. You can also select Microsoft Office Tools from the start menu. Select Microsoft Office Application Recovery to try to retrieve your work.

The student computers enable you to burn CDs with Roxio by Sonic Solutions. You cannot simply "save as" to the D drive, as you do when you save something to a flash drive. You must burn the item to a disc. To access the Roxio program:

Go to the Start button.

Select All Programs.

Select Roxio by SonicSolutions.

Select Creator Home.

OR

Go directly to one of these three: RecordNow Audio; RecordNow Copy; or RecordNow Data and follow the instructions.

For more information, consult the help file from the Sonic Menu.

USBs (FLASH DRIVES)

Sometimes a USB drive (jump drive, flash drive, etc.) doesn't work on some computers when you insert them in one of the designated USB ports.

All USB drives are different; sometimes they work on some computers but not others.

Ask for help at the Information Desk.

STUCK CDs

For CDs stuck in the D drive: Most of the time, rebooting the computer will cause the drive to open automatically.

Make sure all work has been saved before rebooting.

Ask a library staff member for help.

PRINTING FROM WEBSITES

Sometimes people have difficulty printing pages from websites. Try to:

Cut and paste the information you want into Word and print that.

Check to see if there is a Printable View option (icon) within the document.

When you want to print a PDF document, make sure you select the <print icon from within the PDF (Adobe) toolbar. Do not go to File→Print from the (upper) browser toolbar, as you will print a blank page.

With the newer versions of Adobe Acrobat, you can manipulate selected text from a PDF file in the following way:

Highlight text with the cursor.

Right-click on the highlighted text.

Select Copy to Clipboard.

Paste it into a Word document.

PRINTING FROM PowerPoint

To print PowerPoint slides:

Right-click on the slide, and select print.

Where it says Print What select Handouts. Print up to nine slides on a page.

Where it says Color/Grayscale select Pure Black and White or Grayscale.(This saves a lot of toner!)

BUY CDs

Rewritable CDs are for sale for $1 each at the Circulation Desk.

SENDING EMAIL ATTACHMENTS

Close the document that you want to send as an attachment.

Compose a new email.

Attach your document by finding the attachment button in your email program (usually symbolized by a paper clip icon).

Browse to find your file, select the file, and choose attach.

Compose your email if you want to include a message along with the attachment).

Add your to sender email information last. This way, you won't send any documents in error.

SECURITY

Remember to log off from your instant messaging or email accounts so that other computer users do not have access to your private information. If an instant messaging box that you are working in will not "disappear," try CTRL+ALT+DELETE, then End Task to disconnect yourself from the program.

MICROSOFT HELP

UNH's intranet site has links to brief outlines regarding Microsoft programs, in PDF format:"Information Services Microsoft Office training documents ( http://intra/officetrain.htm - accessible from UNH campus only). The Peterson Library also has a reference book for more detailed information: MicrosoftOffice XP Step by Step. This title is kept at the Information Desk and can be used in the library only.